Faced with the deepening economic crisis, state leaders are being forced to make difficult choices about where to invest dwindling revenue.

Lieutenant governors are on the front lines of this debate. As leaders in state legislatures and in promoting economic development, we have a vested interest in policies that simultaneously save resources and create prosperity in the long run.

Despite these challenging and politically contentious times, lieutenant governors from both parties and from every region of the country are in agreement about at least one investment that states cannot afford to sacrifice — early education.

Few investments these days offer a guaranteed return, but quality pre-kindergarten is one of them.

That is why we authored, and our colleagues in the National Lieutenant Governors Association just passed, a resolution supporting high-quality, voluntary pre-k for all children.

Pre-k is one of the most important and well-researched public education strategies of 21st century. Thanks to advances in neuroscience, we now know that the great majority of the brain’s architecture is set by age five.

Moreover, Harvard University researchers have found that 50 percent of the achievement gap that is present in twelfth grade is already present by first grade. If our nation ever hopes to turn around high dropout and low graduation rates, we must base education policy on research and invest in proven programs. If we hope to strengthen our global economic competitiveness we must develop our human capital starting with the youngest learners.

The preponderance of evidence shows quality pre-k helps children succeed in school and in life.

Study after study demonstrates that pre-k results in savings for every dollar invested. For example, experimental trials involving low-income families found that students who attended pre-k were less likely to need special education services to catch up to their peers, were less likely to be held back in school, were more likely to complete high school and were more likely to enroll in college.

Pre-k graduates also see greater lifetime earnings and pay more tax dollars back to state and local governments, are less likely to be arrested by age 19 and are more likely to lead healthy lifestyles. These findings have been corroborated over the years, making pre-k one of the most rigorously researched policy solutions at our disposal.

During these critical economic times, state leaders should prioritize spending on policies that yield the greatest returns on investment. As Federal Reserve economist Art Rolnick has said, “The return far exceeds the return on most projects that are currently funded as economic development.” In short, state leaders cannot afford to ignore this proven educational and economic development solution.

Because the educational system is in such need and the research is so clear, leaders from both the public and private sector are rallying around the cause of pre-k. Business leaders, law enforcement and military officials, doctors, pastors and policy makers of both parties have organized to promote a commitment to pre-k. The National Association of Lieutenant Governors is proud to have joined this important movement.

Without question, the first and most important teachers are a child’s parents. We also recognize that quality early education programs help parents make the most of this critical window of development. As the newly ratified pre-k resolution makes clear, the nation’s lieutenant governors believe it’s time to invest in what works.

Just months ago, Republicans got away with a massive upward redistribution of wealth, raiding $1.5 trillion from the Treasury and sticking future generations with the bill. Now, they're going for more.